RPD seizes 33 animals at Casa K9 Kennel

Ridgecrest's Police Department and its Animal Control division seized several animals Friday evening from a kennel on Ridgecrest Boulevard.

In an operation that lasted four hours, Casa K9 kennel owner Helen Jackson found herself watching as Animal Control ferried animals from her property to the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter on County Line Road.

Jackson, 84, reported that at one time RPD detained her in handcuffs prior to releasing her.

According to the officers on the scene, RPD and Animal Control showed up at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday to serve Jackson a warrant.

At the time, Ryan Sloan, the RPD investigating detective on scene declined to comment, citing the lack of having the watch commander on scene.

Jackson, who has been in business for 27 years, said that three buildings she used for her kennel and boarding business had been cleared of all animals.

"I feel like my rights have been denied completely," a distraught Jackson said as RPD officers and Animal Control led a pair of dogs from the front building, which used as one of the boarding houses. "They won't let me go into my own kennels and let me see what they are doing."

Jackson said the problems originally began in November 2012 when one of her cats sprayed one of the electrical lines powering the building. When she heard a popping sound, Jackson said she called 911 and Southern California Edison, RPD and Kern County Fire Department arrived on scene.

RPD handed Jackson a warrant receipt for all animals seized by Animal Control on Friday, adding that any animal boarding at Jackson's place would be returned to its owner.

"I believe the word of the day is 'overwhelmed,'" said the investigating detective to Jackson. "You're not being punished, but it just appears you took on too much."

Jackson said later that in November, a building inspector requested that SCE remove the electricity meter for the three buildings Jackson used for her business. She added that the fourth structure on the premise, a house, had its separate meter.

This effectively rendered the three buildings without power since November, Jackson said.

"He said I would have to bring the buildings up to code," Jackson said. "He said the buildings were dilapidated."

Since then, Jackson's three buildings have not had power and she's had to run her business without electricity.

"I've been rescuing and taking care of animals for 27 years, and I've never had a problem," Jackson said.

Monday, RPD Capt. Paul Wheeler confirmed that both Sloan, the detective, and Animal Control Officer Candace Robbs had removed 14 dogs, 16 cats and three chickens during the warrant search.

"This was in response to animals being kept in cruel and unusual confines," Wheeler said by phone. "The animals were removed and charges are pending."

Page 2 of 2 - Wheeler said Jackson had allegedly violated Section 597(b) of the California Penal Code, or cruelty to animals.

Wheeler said the temperature in the buildings at the time was around 104 degrees, based on the police report.

"The majority of the animals needed veterinary attention," he said. "All of the dogs and cats had ticks and mites."

Wheeler confirmed that the building inspector had contacted him back in November about the building, and that the inspector had the meter removed.

"The building was not up to code, there was no public restroom or hot water for customers," Wheeler said.

He said that when RPD received the information, it acted as quickly as possible, as per department policy.

"When we get information that animals are being treated wrongly, we take that seriously," Wheeler said. "Animals can't talk or tell us how they are feeling. They are completely dependent on humans for care and we are obligated to provide the best care possible."